Hi everyone.. Sorry about the title.. I forgot to complete it before I hit submit!

This forum has some great information. I belong to a similar forum for my Triumph Rocket III (motorcycle) which is a great help there also.

I found this forum just off a google search as I'm having some issues with my late '99 7.3 liter. It's just turned 166,000 miles. Recently is has lost some power. It also studders above 2300 RPM or so and blows some blue/white smoke when it starts studdering. No enging light has not come on and I don't currently have a means to read any stored codes.

I've read through the forum and this weekend I'm going to pull the valve covers and check the UVC harness and use the "quarter trick" that I read about to keep the UVC connected. I'm also going to torque down the injectors and rocker arms as has been suggested, and replace the glow plugs.. since I'm in there anyway.

I'll also check the condition of the turbo, as this was my first suspicion before I read about the UVC harness in here.

I believe the injectors are fine. I've read some on a "buzz test"? but do not know what that is. The truck idles fine though..

Anyway, just thought I would make a post on here.. and thank everyone for all the useful information..

Dave Arnold
La Vernia, TX

 

I think autozone will check for codes for you. More knowledgeable people will chime in soon.

 

Most autozone's code readers will not read PSD codes. Make sure you oil is in good shape, your fuel filter is good and you have a clean air filter. Does it sound like it's starving for fuel when you hit 2300? If so, I'd lean towards the fuel system.

 

Thanks.. Yes, it really seems like it's starving for fuel more than anything..
My wife just recently took it in for an oil change and had the fuel filter changed as well. My first thought was the fuel filter.. but that wasn't it..

 

Thanks.. Yes, it really seems like it's starving for fuel more than anything..
My wife just recently took it in for an oil change and had the fuel filter changed as well. My first thought was the fuel filter.. but that wasn't it..

I haven't had the fuel pressure checked either.. Man I need some new tools..

 

Without a fuel gauge, you would be guessing as to a pump problem. you could have some trash restricting the fuel line in the tank causing it to starve out under high demands, or it could be a weak pump. Also, are you sure they changed the filter and not just charged you for one? It's an easy change and you can do it yourself if you have a few very basic tools.

 

Subscribing and waiting to hear back from you when you get the injectors torqued down, etc.
Barry is on to something with that fuel pressure theory.

 

Well,you might,ve already been told but,Welcome to FTE,now that being said,now that you found FTE,dont take your truck to get service stuff done,you can save money,and do a better job taking care of you truck doing it yourself. Theres a great bunch of guys on here that can help you through anything at all. Ive learned alot about my truck just by being here.
Schlepprock

 

Welcome to FTE. I think Barry's on the right track. A fuel problem like a dying fuel pump, won't usually throw code or lite the SES lite on the dash. Hmmmm.

 

You didn't mention how the air filter looked. Did you check that too? Just for grins, go out and check the oil level on the dip stick, then see if you can find out what type of oil was used when the oil was changed. Your fuel injectors fire off of engine oil, so if some one at the quick lube forgot the PSD holds 15 qts, or if they dumped Penzoil 10w-30 in there, the oil may be your problem. If the oil is not the proper diesel rated oil with the anti-foaming additives, your can aerate the oil which will not properly fire the injectors.

The buzz test has to be run with a scanner. It sends an electrical signal through the injector solenoid and activates the poppet inside the injector. The buzz sound is the poppet hitting the upper and lower seat inside the injector.

Edit: Welcome to FTE.

 

Make sure all 6 boots are tight. When I did the foil delete to my IC pipe I had them tight but one worked loose after a day and it would studder bad at 2000 and higher RPM.

 

Interested as well, I too am leaning toward fuel problem as well. I'd check to make sure the fuel filter is white, well for the more part white if it was just changed. If it is black, I'd put it in a bag then dump it out on the service station desk and ask them to explain why it is black.

 

Okay... My POS K&N type air filter was dirty again.. so I cleaned it and put it back on. ( I have a 6637 filter fixing to go on as soon as I get my 4" pipe to connect it ) I haven't done anything to it yet, because I got sick for New Years (Happy New Year!) other than clean up under the hood.

I took it for a drive today, and really ran it good for about 30 miles, hitting 80 - 90 MPH for extended periods.. and.. nothing.. She ran like a top today. It's a balmy 80 degrees outside today, where as, it was in the 30's most of the time when I was experiencing this problem.. So, I will keep any eye on it and see..

 

Thanks for letting use know..